Voice Caddie TL1 Rangefinder: The Fastest Laser in Golf?

I found the packaging for the TL1 to be clean and classy; nothing awe-inspiring but definitely not cheap looking or feeling.

Voice Caddie does a nice job of making it apparent on their packaging that they are the official rangefinder of the LPGA. That’s a point worth bragging about, and I will say that it inspired a feeling of confidence in me. If it’s good enough for some of the best players on the planet, surely it’s good enough for me.

Upon opening the box, I was struck by the simple beauty of the device itself. The design is very clean and understated in a way that suggests quality. It doesn’t look glitzy or flashy, but it does look substantial and somewhat luxurious.

Picking up the device is when the real connection with quality resonated with me. This is the first rangefinder I’ve held that rivaled the heft and feeling of legitimacy you get in a Bushnell rangefinder. To me, Bushnell rangefinders have stood far and above the others in terms of a feeling of quality. Many competing brands feel too light, small, and cheap by comparison. The TL1 is on that same Bushnell level of quality.

Personally, I’m not a fan of the TL1 carrying pouch. It’s too large and clunky for my taste. It takes up too much space in my golf bag. The pouch doesn’t even provide a full enclosure around the device, instead leaving the rangefinder exposed on the top left and right corners when the pouch flap is closed.

Bushnell’s carrying cases are far superior and, to me, continue to set the standard. But I’d even prefer a cheaper-feeling canvas case, like with the Nikon COOLSHOT PROII STABILIZED. At least that case closes all the way and isn’t so bulky.

The Voice Caddie TL1 rangefinder comes with a high-quality carabiner, a nice and useful addition, and with a microfiber cleaning cloth.

You also get a silicone sleeve that fits over the device to provide additional protection. I think this is a genius addition. It doesn’t add any weight, and ergonomically, it makes the device fit perfectly, at least in my hand. I don’t see why you’d ever remove the protective sleeve.

The default protective sleeve color is a bright yellow, which I love. Why? Because anyone who’s ever owned a rangefinder has experienced the nightmare of losing it in the dark storage recesses of a cart. To me, the bright yellow makes it easier to notice your rangefinder and, therefore, harder to lose.

Additional protective sleeve colors are available for purchase.

I will say that I think over time, the silicone sleeve will get dirty. I haven’t experimented with how well or easily it might clean up.

So, aside from the carrying pouch, my first impression of the TL1 was that this thing is a high-quality rangefinder. And that’s what you should expect in a device at this price point.

I haven’t used every rangefinder out there. With so many of them on the market and with a new one coming out seemingly every week, who could?

I have used my fair share, and I’m confident that I’ve tried more rangefinders than the average golfer.

I’m also very confident in saying that nobody has tried a rangefinder that gets yardages—actual and slope adjusted—faster than the Voice Caddie TL1.

Voice Caddie says that the TL1 can produce an accurate measurement in 0.1 seconds. I can’t claim to have verified that specific time, but I can say that it basically delivers a readout instantaneously. I’ve never experienced any rangefinder as fast.

Voice Caddie says the TL1’s impressive speed is made possible by their proprietary PIN TRACER™ technology. They claim to have unlocked a new measurement technique that quickly scans the entire pin and flag regardless of if your hands or target are moving.  

I’m not the type to dive too deep into the technical mumbo jumbo. Frankly, I find most of it to be marketing talk. Every rangefinder company cites some technological breakthrough as the reason their device is the best.

But I can tell you with definitive certainty based on actual first-person experience that this is one fast rangefinder. And the best part is that you know when you’ve locked onto your target as you get a significant vibration that you can both feel and hear. With some rangefinders, you’re often not quite sure if you’ve nailed your target. The TL1 leaves you with no doubt.

As I said, I didn’t previously put much stock into speed. But having experienced it, I’m changing my tune. It is such a nice luxury to get your numbers so fast. It really cuts down on what can be a cumbersome and time-consuming process of using a rangefinder.

So, do these saved seconds amount to a massive difference in your round? Probably not. But once you experience fast, I think you’ll be a bit frustrated with anything slower.

As you’d expect from a top golf rangefinder, the TL1 is loaded with features and practical functionality. Among the high points, you’ve got:

• • PIN TRACER™ (with an increased lock-on area)
  • V-Algorithm™ (enhanced slope and GPS data)
  • Integrated Magnet
  • Auto Slope Switch (slope function can easily be turned on or off)
  • 1,000 Yard Range
  • 2-Color OLED
  • 6X Optical Magnification
  • Auto Brightness

The Nikon COOLSHOT PROII STABILIZED is a good comparison because both devices claim excellent optics and a steadying effect for shaky hands.

I found the TL1 to be every bit as stable as the COOLSHOT PROII STABILIZED. I didn’t find a difference between the two except to say that the TL1 consistently gets yardages faster than the Nikon. If that’s because of the stability, I’d have to give the nod to the TL1.

As for optics, for as great as the TL1 is (and it is), the COOLSHOT PROII STABILIZED is better. I’ve yet to come across a rangefinder with a clearer, more perfect view than the COOLSHOT.

The TL1 has a built-in magnet, which is awesome for attaching to a cart or clubhead. You’ll find that same feature with other golf rangefinder with slope devices like the Bushnell Pro XE, and Blue Tees Golf Series 3 Max. The Nikon COOLSHOT PROII STABILIZED does not include a magnet.

I really love the pulse/vibration feeling from the TL1, Bushnell Pro XE and Blue Tees Golf Series 3 Max. The Nikon, on the other hand, only gives you a weak ringing sound when you lock onto a target.

As for hand feel or ergonomics, I think the TL1 and Pro XE stand well above the other contenders.

The TL1 only delivers yardages in whole numbers. That’s the same as with the Bushnell Pro XE and Blue Tees Golf Series 3 Max. Other best golf rangefinder options, like the Nikon COOLSHOT PROII STABILIZED, give you readouts down to a tenth of a yard. Frankly, who needs tenths of yards? I know I’m not good enough to benefit from that minuscule of a difference.

As for accuracy, I think each of the products above does an excellent job and really is the main reason they are each a candidate for best golf rangefinder 2022.

In testing the TL1, I compared the distances with sprinkler heads and yardage stakes, and I paced off the distances manually. From what I can tell, the TL1 is spot-on accurate, even from long distances. Most reassuring is that when I shot a distance and then re-shot from the same spot, I was mostly getting the exact same number. Once in a while, there would be a small oscillation, but never more than a yard or two. And most of the time, it was the same number repeatedly.

Now that Voice Caddie has introduced what looks like two flagship golf rangefinder products, the TL1 and SL2, there will be some questions about how they compare.

Simply put, these are two distinctly different products designed to provide different benefits.

The Voice Caddie SL2 is groundbreaking in that it combines a rangefinder with a GPS, all in one device. That means you can get an overview map of the hole, distances to hazards and front, center, back, plus green undulation maps while also being able to shoot numbers with the laser. It’s incredibly slick.

The TL1 is a professional-grade golf rangefinder. No hole views or heat maps. Instead, you get lightning-fast readouts, pinpoint accuracy, and a steadying guide for shaky hands.

Each product has its place. But to compare them is a bit apples and oranges.

The TL1 isn’t cheap. At $449.99, it’s priced to compete in the best golf rangefinder category. And it most definitely holds its own.

Is it the best? That depends on what you value most.

I think the Nikon COOLSHOT PROII STABILIZED is tops If you want the best optics. But the TL1 isn’t far behind.

If you want the most trusted name, it’s Bushnell. They remain the leaders in consumer confidence, and their top-of-the-line Pro XE laser is pretty sweet.

If you want what might be the overall best golf rangefinder for the money, the Blue Tees Golf Series 3 Max—at $359.99—is pretty tough to beat.

But if you want the fastest rangefinder, one that’s built as well as any other, one that’s almost the best in terms of optics, and one that’s partnered with the LPGA, the Voice Caddie TL1 rangefinder becomes a very enticing product.

My only complaint? After experiencing this speed, I’m not sure I can go back. It’s kind of addictive.